Hi,
I've been poking around with AREDN mesh networking.
AREDN^1 reuses inexpensive, off-the-shelf point-to-(multi)point wifi devices with custom firmware to form an ad-hoc network (call it a mini-internet) that can carry any service you could carry on the internet. (At the moment, I've got meshchat and a raspberry pi running meshmap, although the latter isn't being incredibly reliable - I'll put more time into services if other people connect up)
From a prepping perspective, I think it's valuable, but as time goes on, I think this kind of network is going to become a bigger deal around the 6g timeframe (~8 years) - allowing individuals to cooperatively 'route around' a compromised internet.
To that end, I've set up a couple of antennas, including a 2.4ghz at the top of the rotational mast with my yagi so I can try honing in on people. It seems to be functional in and amongst themselves, although if there is still another nearby aredn node (as indicated by the map, although the entry hasn't been updated since 2019), I can't hit it from where I am.
^1(I've been pronouncing it Arden in my head, like the mythical forest from Shakespeare)
I am using Channel 149 and 165 on 5ghz and Channel -2 on 2.4 (this represents a ham-only channel. although I'm willing to switch around for any intrepid non-hams).
I've plugged in what I think are conservative values for my coverage area (it assumes that your antenna is only 6ft off the ground with marginal gain), if anybody is interested in playing with it.
If you're even marginally technical, just anal-retentively following the firmware loading instructions will get you there (I've done it like 8 times now, and I made all the mistakes, can write a shortcut post, if you wish).
5Ghz:
2.4ghz:
I've been poking around with AREDN mesh networking.
AREDN^1 reuses inexpensive, off-the-shelf point-to-(multi)point wifi devices with custom firmware to form an ad-hoc network (call it a mini-internet) that can carry any service you could carry on the internet. (At the moment, I've got meshchat and a raspberry pi running meshmap, although the latter isn't being incredibly reliable - I'll put more time into services if other people connect up)
From a prepping perspective, I think it's valuable, but as time goes on, I think this kind of network is going to become a bigger deal around the 6g timeframe (~8 years) - allowing individuals to cooperatively 'route around' a compromised internet.
To that end, I've set up a couple of antennas, including a 2.4ghz at the top of the rotational mast with my yagi so I can try honing in on people. It seems to be functional in and amongst themselves, although if there is still another nearby aredn node (as indicated by the map, although the entry hasn't been updated since 2019), I can't hit it from where I am.
^1(I've been pronouncing it Arden in my head, like the mythical forest from Shakespeare)
I am using Channel 149 and 165 on 5ghz and Channel -2 on 2.4 (this represents a ham-only channel. although I'm willing to switch around for any intrepid non-hams).
I've plugged in what I think are conservative values for my coverage area (it assumes that your antenna is only 6ft off the ground with marginal gain), if anybody is interested in playing with it.
If you're even marginally technical, just anal-retentively following the firmware loading instructions will get you there (I've done it like 8 times now, and I made all the mistakes, can write a shortcut post, if you wish).
5Ghz:
2.4ghz:
